Skip to content

Altered State of Consciousness and Mental Imagery as a Function of N, N-dimethyltryptamine Concentration in Ritualistic Ayahuasca Users

Johannes G. Ramaekers, Pablo Mallaroni, Lilian Kloft, Johannes T. Reckweg, Stefan W. Toennes, Kim van Oorsouw, Natasha L. Mason

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 2023 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_02003 (opens in new tab)

Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational, baseline controlled study Peer reviewed
Sample size 24
Population Members of the Santo Daime church
Intervention Ayahuasca
Dose self-selected volume
Topics Ayahuasca DMT 5-MeO-DMT Altered states of consciousness
Keywords Psychedelics Consciousness research Religious rituals
Citations 15
Key findings Ayahuasca's primary phenomenological effects (oceanic boundlessness, visual restructuring, ego dissolution) are driven by DMT concentration, but mental imagery capacity did not noticeably differ between sober and ayahuasca conditions in long-term Santo Daime members.

Abstract

Abstract Consumption of the psychedelic brew ayahuasca is a central ritualistic aspect of the Santo Daime religion. The current observational, baseline controlled study was designed to assess whether members (n = 24) of the Santo Daime church would show enhanced capacity for mental imagery during an ayahuasca experience. In addition, this study assessed whether the effects of ayahuasca on consciousness and mental imagery were related to peak serum concentration of N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), the main psychoactive component. Measures of altered states of consciousness (5-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness Questionnaire) and ego dissolution (Ego Dissolution Inventory [EDI]) as well as measures of mental imagery (visual perspective shifting, vividness of visual imagery, cognitive flexibility, associative thinking) were taken on two subsequent days on which members of Santo Daime were sober or drank a self-selected volume of ayahuasca. Measures of altered states of consciousness revealed that feelings of oceanic boundlessness, visual restructuralization, and EDI increased most prominently after drinking and shared a positive correlation with peak DMT concentration. Measures of mental imagery did not noticeably differ between the baseline and ayahuasca condition, although subjective ratings of cognitive flexibility were lower under ayahuasca. Two measures related to mental imagery, that is, perspective shifts and cognitive flexibility, were significantly correlated to peak DMT concentrations. Peak concentrations of DMT and other alkaloids did not correlate with ayahuasca dose. These findings confirm previous notions that the primary phenomenological characteristics of ayahuasca are driven by DMT. Compensatory or neuroadaptive effects associated with long-term ayahuasca intake may have mitigated the acute impact of ayahuasca in Santo Daime members on mental imagery.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms. Volunteers who inhaled vapor from dried toad secretion at several European locations 2019 Observational cohort n = 42
Intensity of Mystical Experiences Occasioned by 5-MeO-DMT and Comparison With a Prior Psilocybin Study Individuals at a psychospiritual retreat in Mexico 2018 Observational cohort n = 20
Neural and subjective effects of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine in natural settings. Healthy and experienced participants 2021 Observational field study n = 35
A Phase 1, Dose-Ranging Study to Assess Safety and Psychoactive Effects of a Vaporized 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine Formulation (GH001) in Healthy Volunteers. Healthy volunteers 2021 Prospective dose-finding study n = 22
Open-label study of consecutive ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted-therapy for trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces Veterans: prospective data from a clinical program in Mexico. Trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans 2023 Prospective clinical program evaluation n = 86

Citations in the library

Cited by 14

and 9 more in the library

Cites 57

and 52 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Ayahuasca DMT 5-MeO-DMT Altered states of consciousness Ego dissolution Mystical experience Philosophy of mind